comparison of two yeast bioluminescent assays applied to water monitoring of estrogenic activity

the aim of our study was to compare the performance of two bioluminescent yeast estrogen bioassays, Saccharomyces cerevisiae blYeS (lux-based) and S. cerevisiae bMaereluc/erα (luc-based), to determine estrogenic activity in environmental samples. t wo bioassays and chemical analysis were used to analyze 36 water samples. Samples were solid phase extracted and chemical analysis and two yeast bioassays were used for analysis. individual estrogenic compounds were also analyzed by each estrogen assay. S. cerevisiae blYeS produced positive responses to 15 out of 36 water samples, versus 3 out of 36 samples with bMaereluc/erα. both strains responded to individual chemicals and were able to detect estrogenic substances in environmental samples. However, S. cerevisiae bl YeS was easier to use, faster, less expensive; requiring fewer handling steps and no exogenous substrate addition. in addition, it appears more sensitive to estrogens in the environmental samples. because previous studies have found contamination with estrogenic substances worldwide, including some in brazilian waterways, a method to quickly and inexpensively screen environmental samples for endocrine-active substances in monitoring programs is critically needed. S. cerevisiae bl YeS was demonstrated to be capable of gauging the estrogenic burden of water samples in a high throughput and sensitive fashion.